Obama calls on Americans to help fight gun violence

12/21/12 6:00 AM EST

President Obama urged Americans to keep pushing for efforts to combat gun violence, as he thanked hundreds of thousands of people for voicing their concerns to the White House over the course of the week since the Newtown shooting.

"We hear you," Obama said in a web video released Friday morning, responding to the more than 400,000 people who have signed a collection of petitions on the White House's We the People website urging a swift response to the Dec. 14 massacre.

"You've started something and now I'm asking for you to keep at it," he said. "I'm asking for your help to make a real, meaningful difference in the lives of our communities in our country and make sure the United States of America is a safer, stronger place for our children to learn and to grow."

Obama, meanwhile, is doing what he can, he said.

He has already called on Congress to pass "commonsense legislation that has the support of a majority of the American people," he said, including bans on the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips, plus the elimination of legal loopholes that allow criminals to buy guns. He also launched a group being led by Vice President Joe Biden tasked with generating policy proposals on guns, mental health and combating the culture of violence by January. The group, which also includes four members of the president's Cabinet, held its first meeting on Thursday and heard from leaders of major law enforcement groups.

"I will do everything in my power as president to advance these efforts, because if there's even one thing we can do as a country to protect our children, we have a responsibility to try," he said.

But, he added, he needs the help of the American people. "If we're going to succeed, it's going to take a sustained effort from mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, law enforcement and responsible gun owners -- organizing, speaking up, calling their members of Congress as many times as it takes, standing up and saying 'Enough' on behalf of all our kids. That's how change happens. Because of committed Americans who work to make it happen, because of you."

Obama also offered assurance that he believes the Second Amendment affords individuals the right to bear arms and that he believes "most gun owners are responsible." He's encouraged "that many gun owners have stepped up this week to say there are steps we can take to prevent more tragedies in Newtown -- steps that both protect our rights and our kids."